Habibi, come to Dubai (the story of Sara Heck)

In less than a month I’ll be celebrating my first anniversary in the UAE. I moved here due to a job opportunity, an interesting leadership role in a prominent proptech company. In the blink of an eye I was managing a team of multi diverse people, from different cultures, backgrounds, stories and expectations. On top of that, I was dealing with my own acclimation, learning on the job how to handle so many different communication styles under the startup fast paced environment. I decided to embrace this challenge with my heart open and not having any preparation for what I would face.

Before moving to the UAE I had so many misconceptions about the country. Especially because of my gender. I had read about Dubai specifically, the rules spoken and not spoken, the expected behavior, the dos and don’ts. I moved here very scared about what I was doing to me and to my family. I was very worried about being in a Muslim country because the references we have are all biased (but it is all we have anyways).?

Luckily for me (or alhamdulillah as we say here), almost 90% of what I thought and heard was wrong. Dubai is amazing! From a woman’s perspective, I’d never felt so safe. I can walk at any time, day or night, holding my iPhone with any expensive attire I want, and I’d still be safe.?

I can dress in literally any way I want. There is no such thing as a “dress code”. I’m wearing the same pair of shorts and bikinis I brought from Brazil. I can show my belly, arms, shoulders, knees. It’s fine, nobody actually cares (as long as you dress accordingly when visiting traditional places - this is just common sense).

Me and my husband can be together and hold hands, hold each other (I thought I could not even do this). We can go out for drinks, we can have plenty of fun. On top of it, I can be myself because everybody you meet comes from different places, we are all immigrants here, we are all in the same boat and this is fantastic. I lived in the US in the past, I loved it, but I was always carrying the “left out” feeling. Here I made (and keep making) so many interesting friends that share the same struggles and teach me so much on a daily basis.?

I took for granted living in a tax-free country. Habibi, it is so good! To actually earn the money you make, see it turning into purchase power, turning into savings. I was laid off at the startup and hired by a huge company in a short period of time. My husband who was not speaking any English was hired and now is changing to a better job. He learned how to communicate, how to speak, and the opportunities are everywhere. If you don’t understand what someone is saying you can ask them to repeat, as simple as that, and you will find a way of understanding each other (very different from the US when they look at you in a very judgmental way).

Here everybody speaks English and I’m learning some Arabic and Hindi as well. Here people respect work hours, they respect your free time, you have the desert on one side and the beach on the other. Very nice crystal clear water just 10 minutes away from your home. I hear people saying that “the UAE is too artificial” and I get it, I come from Brazil. But UAE does not mean Dubai. Dubai is indeed a made up emirate, but there are so many nice natural places around, 1 hour drive away, that makes up for it.?

Muslims are the nicest and fun people I ever met and Islam is so beautiful and free.?

I’m not saying that Dubai is perfect. There are plenty of things that bothers me on a daily basis, but it’s honestly nothing in comparison with the good stuff.?

It is important to know that the processes and the business culture is still under development so lots of things feel like decades ago. It is imperative to understand that the UAE is ruled by a Royal Family, and you have to respect it and get along with it, there is no point in trying to fight the system, what you can do is just to choose not to come (it is what it is). Once here, follow the rules and khalas! Dubai is also pricey, everything is expensive and that’s why salaries are usually higher than average (but it is still painful to pay AED 50,00 for a pint).?

It may sound like propaganda, but it is not. Here I’m having the most complex and complete cultural exchange experience of my life. I hope to write about my 10th anniversary in a few years. I’m well aware about the privileges that led me here, I’m not na?ve, but it took me the same courage and boldness as everybody else's.?

I would not recommend just coming here under a tourist visa, it is important to have a plan, to look for opportunities from your home country before moving, and to make a financial plan in case it takes longer to settle. But bottom line, Habibi, come to Dubai!!? it’s an amazing place to be, especially now when the world is economically crumbling around us, tech companies crisis and all. If you have the means to come, I’d strongly advise you to consider.

Just come and Inshalla we’ll meet someday. Yalla!!